I went three or four years ago with my mother. I was very surprised that we won tickets since so many people apply for them. You can only have 2 items appraised for each ticket, so we had a heck of a time narrowing down our choices from all the family antiques we have. A matching pair of items is considered one item, so I ended up taking a pair of china figures depicting Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, and also a pottery figurine of a dog. All three have been in my mother's family since the 1860s (and have family stories to go with each), but none are labeled with a maker's name. My mother brought two antique dolls from her vast collection.
Turns out the matching pair will always be a mystery as they could have been made by any one of many pottery makers in the Staffordshire region of England. The dog was a big surprise...we thought he was English, but that pup is a German native! I don't remember now the monetary values as they will never be sold out of the family.
The experience was pretty terrific. Be prepared for crowds, but the degree of organization we saw at the Boston version was terrific. We were arranged by time of arrival, AND by the required times on our tickets. Lots of signs, and roping to prevent line jumpers. Bring your own food on the down low. The concession stands were well stocked, but very pricey.